Device for joining rails



W. D. YQCUM.

DEVICE FOR. JOINING RAILS. APPLIICATION FILED JULY 30,1921.

1,405,886. Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM D. YOCUM, OF WETUMKA, OKLAHOMA.

. DEVICE FOR JOINING RAILS.

' 7 Applicationfiled July 30,

specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for joiningrails and has as its object to provide a device for this purpose which will serve effectually to unite the meeting ends of aligned rails and securely hold the same in alignment and against spreading or overturning. I

Another object of the inventionis to provide a device of the'class described which will automatically adapt itself to the rails when it is adjusted for clamping engage-V ment with the rails, it being only necessary to manipulate a single element of the device in order to adjust the rail clamping members of the same so as to cause them to clamp and suitably space the rails to which they are applied and prevent spreading and overturning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose stated so constructed that the same may be readily and quickly adapted to the rails, andas' readily removed therefrom when occasion requires;

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal, sectional view therethrough.

Figure 3 is a perspective view ofone of the rail clamping heads.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings the rails to be. joined are indicated by the numeral 1 and as will be observed by reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the device embodying the invention is to have one of its clamping heads applied to the meeting ends of two rails at one side of the track and its other clamping head applied to an intermediate portion of the opposite rail so that the said meeting ends of thectwo first mentioned rails will not only be firmly clamped and maintained in mutual alignment, but also these ends of the said rails will be prevented from spread- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 7, 1922 1921. Serial No. 488,665.

ing out of parallelism to the opposite rail and also prevented from overturning.

The device embodying the invention comprises a pair of clamping heads and, means connecting the heads and operable to relatively adjust the clamping members thereof. These heads are indicated in general by the numeral 2 and each comprises a body 3 provided at its outer end and. at its upper side with a transversely extending rail clamping jaw 4 which is shaped for engagement against the outer side of the web andbase flange against which, the member isdisposed as best is shown in Figure 2 of the draw-- ings. Each rail clamping head further cornprises a' movable jaw member which is indicated by the numeral 5, and which is likewise shaped to embrace the inner side of the base flange and web of a rail. The jaw member '5 is formed upon its inner side midway between its ends with a downwardly projecting boss 6 formed with a clove-tailed recess 7 which is adapted to receive beveled ribs 8 formed longitudinally of the upper side edges of the body 3 of the clamping headsthe under-cut walls of the recess 7 engaging beneaththe said beveled ribs 8 so as to provide an interlocking engagement between the clamping'jaw 5 and the body 3 and to establish a slidable connection between these parts so that the said jaw member 4 may beslidably adjusted with relation to the respective jaw member 5. I

In order to provide for assemblage of the jaw member 5 with the body 8 and to likewise provide for operation of these parts, theribs 8 are cut away as at 9 for a suitable'portion of their length and at their ends remote from the fixed jaw member 4:, so that when the jaw member 5 is slid to position with its boss 6 located at the point where the ribs are cut away, the said member 5 may be lifted outof engagementewith the body '3. However when this member is in locking engagement with the ribs 8, the

parts will be securely united and held against relativemovement except that incident to the adjustment of the j awmember 5.

In order that the members 4 of the two clamping heads may be simultaneously adjusted' and be brought into clamping en} gagementwith the rails to be joined, the relatively adjacent ends of the bodies3 of the two heads are formed with upstanding bosses each provided with a threaded. bore 11, and a turn buckle rod 12 has its oppositely threaded end portions adjust-ably fitted through the bores 11. The opposite extremities of this rod are somewhat reduced in diameter as indicated by the numeral. 13 and are rotatably received in sockets 14 "formed in the adjacent sides of the jaw. members 5. In order that the rod 12 may be rotatably adjusted, it is formed intermediate of its ends with a preferably cylindrical head 15 having a circumferential series of sockets'lG rupted for. a portion of their for the reception of a bar which is to serve as a lever for the purpose stated.

From the'foregoing description of the invention it will be seen that there is provided a rail joining device so constructed that in the adjustment of a single element thereof, namely the turn buckle rod 12, the movable jaws of the two clamping heads are resped tively drawn into engagement with'the outer sides of the rails so that these members are caused to firmlyclamp the respective rails with which they. are engaged. c

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

- 1. A device of the class describedembodyingapair ofrail clamping heads each comprisinga body, a fixed clamping jaw carried thereby, spaced ribs upon the body interlength, a

'said jaws respectively.

2. A device of the class described embodymg a pair of rail clamping heads each comprising a body, rail engaging jaws at the relatively remote ends of the two bodies, upstanding bosses at the relatively adjacent ends of the two bodies, the said bosses being provided each with a threaded bore, a rail clamping aw having slidable connection with the upper side of each of the said rail clamping heads between the clamping jaw thereof and the boss, and a turn buckle rod having its oppositely threaded end portions fitted through the bores of the bosses and having swlvel engagement at its ends with the last mentioned clamping jaws, the head of the turnbuckle rod being located between the said relatively adj acent ends of the said rail clamping heads.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. \VILLIAM D. YOCUM. 

